System and method for attaching and quick releasing a first object to and from a second object

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for attaching and quick releasing from inside hurricane panels at an opening in a structure are provided, thus facilitating egress. Retaining pins may be located inside a panel, protecting them from potential object strikes, and eliminating the need for drilling additional holes in the panels and permitting manipulation from inside the structure. Human error or misuse is addressed, particularly the binding of pins that result from over tightening of nuts. Industry standard methods for installing hurricane panels may be employed or modestly modified as appropriate, and thus studded angle track, F-Track and direct mount systems utilizing either male or female hardware may be employed. Some of the embodiments can attach and quick release track, wherein the panels attached to the track are released when the track is released.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/032,427 filed on Feb. 29, 2008, expressly incorporatedherein by reference, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/113,129,filed on Nov. 10, 2008, expressly incorporated herein by reference, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/113,134 filed on Nov. 10, 2008,expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,994, filed Sep. 10, 2007 which claims priority from ProvisionalPatent Application 60/825,053 filed on Sep. 8, 2006, each of which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hurricane shutters, andmore particularly to systems and methods for attaching and quickreleasing a first object to and from a second object, and in particularto hardware for hurricane panel installation, particularly mountingsystems and methods which permit the quick removal of the hurricanepanels from the inside of a structure to enable means of emergencyegress from a shuttered structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

If a structure is to be occupied when hurricane panels are installed, itis necessary to have at least one opening where the hurricane protectionsystem can be secured and removed from inside the structure to allowegress. If this is not feasible in a particular installation, it maythen require that one or more openings be left unprotected. Furthermore,it is preferable, and mandatory in most jurisdictions, to have at leastone alternate means of egress from the structure. While other, moreexpensive hurricane protection systems, such as accordion shutters, canbe opened and closed from inside the structure, the low-cost and widelypreferred hurricane panels typically can only be attached and removedfrom outside of the structure.

In recent years, many local governments in hurricane prone regions havemandated in their building codes that all new structures must havehurricane protection. Some coastal counties have further mandated thatall structures, new or existing, have hurricane protection installed.Furthermore, most insurance companies either require or offersignificant discounts for the installation of hurricane protection. Ofthe many hurricane protection products available, hurricane shutterpanels are the most affordable. With the proliferation of hurricaneprotection, more people will rely on their hurricane protection. As aresult, fewer people will evacuate and more people will stay in theirhomes during a storm. The incidence of fires during power failures ismuch higher as a result of the use of lamps and candles. As more peoplestay in shuttered homes during hurricanes, it is likely that more peoplewill need egress from their homes in an emergency. In fact, many localgovernments already require emergency egress from at least one openingin every bedroom. One major draw-back of hurricane panels is that theycan usually only be installed and removed from the outside of astructure. Other systems for providing hurricane protection such as rolldown and accordion shutters, and impact glass, which can be opened andclosed from inside a building, are substantially more expensive thanhurricane shutter panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In typical installations, hurricane panels are attached from the outsideof a structure and are not removable from the inside of the structure.The system provides a means to release the panels from the inside of thestructure, thus providing additional means of egress, should the primarymeans of egress become unusable.

The instant invention solves this problem by facilitating the quickrelease of hurricane shutter panels from inside a structure. The systemworks in conjunction with industry standard hurricane hardware andinstallation methods and provides an affordable solution to creatingemergency egress through openings protected by hurricane shutter panels.When mounting hurricane panels, at least one panel or series of panelscovering a window or door opening is mounted in a way that allows thepanel(s) to be removed from inside the structure. This permits egressfrom the structure through openings normally blocked when hurricanepanels are installed. Typically, only one door opening is the primarymeans of egress from the structure. Enabling the removal of hurricaneprotection from the inside of the structure usually involves moreexpensive hurricane protection products such as accordion shutters.

While it is desirable to have more than one means of egress in case theprimary means of egress becomes unusable, many home or business ownerschoose to use the much more affordable hurricane panel rather thanalternate protection systems which typically cost three to five times asmuch as panels. These constraints may be overcome by providing ahurricane panel mounting and quick release system and method that can beused in conjunction with industry standard installation techniques. Themost typical methods for mounting hurricane panels include directmounting methods such as male or female hardware attached directly to astructure, or track mounting methods such as F-Track, studded angletrack and U or H header track, or typically a combination thereofattached to the structure. Various embodiments described herein workwith industry standard hardware so as to permit its use with a widevariety of industry standard installation methods without requiringmodifications to existing installations or installation methods. Thesystem and method therefore works with standard installation tracks andaccessories, as well as existing direct mount systems, and is typicallyreusable.

Improvements are provided over U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,994 and U.S. Provisional 60/825,053, for example,

-   -   i) adapting in some of the embodiments the pins, such that the        pins are located on the inboard side of the hurricane panels,        where they are protected from the elements, thus eliminating the        need to have holes in the panels for connecting the pins to an        extraction mechanism and allowing access to the pins from inside        the structure to facilitate removal should the connection to an        extraction mechanism fail;    -   ii) designs which accommodate the use of a sturdier pin;    -   iii) a technology for preventing the pins from binding in the        event a user over-tightens the wing nuts used to secure the        panel(s) to the structure, thus minimizing the potential for        failure from user error or misuse; and    -   iv) preventing components from scattering when the panels are        removed.

The prior application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994teaches, for example, four embodiments for attaching hurricane panels toa structure. In the prior application, a first embodiment is designedfor use with studded angle track, a second embodiment is designed foruse with F-Track, a third embodiment is designed for use with directmount systems that use female mounting hardware, and a fourth embodimentis designed for use with direct mount systems that use male mountinghardware. These four embodiments are not interchangeable betweenmounting methods, and some of the embodiments depend on the release ofcomponents which are located outside of the structure and thus prone tofailures which cannot be addressed from within the structure.

It is the object to overcome some of the constraints of the embodimentsdisclosed in the prior application by locating the release components ofthe system to the interior, protected side of the panels. Location ofthe release components to the inside side of the panels enables anysystem failures to be addressed from inside the structure, where suchcomponent are readily accessible, and protects system components frompossible damage which may occur during a storm event.

It is another object to enable the use of common parts across multiplemeans of attaching hurricane shutters to a structure. For example, thequick release bolt assembly and the quick release sleeve assembly can beused across multiple embodiments.

It is a further object is to have assemblies comprising components whichcan be used across multiple platforms for attaching hurricane panels toa structure, thus making it more suitable for use with existinginstallations.

It is a further object to provide embodiments which do not requiredrilling holes or otherwise modifying the hurricane panels.

It is a further object to reduce the number of parts needed acrossmultiple platforms and to maximize the use of off-the-shelf partswherever possible, thus reducing the cost and complexity.

The benefits hereof include that many of the components are common andcan be used with more than one embodiment and means of installation.Therefore, the number of parts are fewer and the embodiments make moreuse of standardized parts which are readily available off-the-shelf.

Likewise, many of the methods of attachment and release disclosed hereinare useful for attaching and releasing both panels and track to and froma structure, and as well can be used in other applications for aattaching and releasing any object to and from another object.

Before going on to describe the systems and methods in detail, it willbe beneficial to explain some terminology to facilitate the description.Following this terminology is a brief overview of industry standardterms and a section on references for this terminology and referencesfor sources of industry standard hardware components.

Terminology

Hard Panel—The term “hard panel” refers to the panels which are attachedto the structure using conventional means. Hard panels cannot be removedfrom inside of the structure, and remain attached even after “softpanels” see below) are released.

Soft Panel—The term “soft panel” refers to the panels which are attachedto the structure using assemblies, to facilitate quick and easy releaseand removal of such soft panels from inside the structure.

Hard Track—The term “hard track” refers to a track or section of trackwhich is attached to the structure using conventional means and does notrelease from the structure with activation. Hard track may be,alternatively attached to a structure together with one of theembodiments, such as a spacer or full length spacer.

Soft Track—The term “soft track” refers to a track or section of trackwhich is attached to the structure using assemblies, thereforefacilitating quick and easy release and removal of such soft track fromwithin the structure. When soft track is employed, the panels areattached to the soft track with conventional means, thus no modificationto the soft track or means of attaching panels is required. When a softtrack is released, the corresponding panels attached to it are alsoreleased.

Inboard Side—The “inboard side” of a hard panel is the side that makescontact with and is overlapped by the soft panel.

Outboard Side—The “outboard side” of a hard panel is side opposite theinboard side. The “outboard side” of a soft panel is the side that makescontact with the inboard side of a hard panel, if present, otherwise, isthe side closest to the opening perimeter.

Flanged Nut—The term “flanged nut”, also known as a “washered hex nut”is a nut with an attached washer. As it applies to standard hurricanehardware, a washered, hex head nut performs the same function as a wingnut, without the wings. Flanged nuts facilitate mounting the inboardside of hard panels to the structure before the soft panels are put inplace. The holes at the bottom and top of a typical panel are typicallyof sufficient diameter to allow clearance for the hex-nut, such that thehex head of the flanged nut will fit through the hole in the outboardside of the soft panel when it is put in place over a hard panel, thusletting the soft panels mate neatly with the hard panels.

Quick Release Bolt Assembly—The components of the quick release boltassembly as assembled. The quick release bolt assembly is used with thefirst and seventh embodiment.

Quick Release Sleeve Assembly—The components of the quick release sleeveassembly as assembled. This assembly employs a bolt, such as a standardsidewalk bolt, instead of the headless bolt used by some of the otherembodiments, and is used in the second, third and fourth embodiments.

Stepped Quick Release Sleeve Assembly—The components of the steppedquick release sleeve assembly as assembled. This assembly employs aheadless stepped bolt that attaches into a female mounting connection,and is used in the fifth and eighth embodiments.

Dual Quick Release Sleeve Assembly—The components of the dual quickrelease sleeve assembly as assembled. This assembly employs an inner andan outer sleeve. The inner sleeve attaches to the male stud protrudingfrom a wall or track, and is used in the sixth embodiments.

Quick Sleeve—The sleeve of the Quick Release Sleeve Assembly, and theStepped Quick Release Sleeve Assembly, and the outer sleeve of the DualQuick Release Sleeve Assembly.

Spacer—Used in some embodiments to provide space between the structureand a panel or track so a pin can be inserted into and released from oneof the release assemblies.

Second Spacer—Used in some embodiments to provide snug and even contactbetween the panel and the mounting surface. This can also be describedand referred to as a “shim.”

Bar—This refers to the metal bar that is used to secure the soft panelsto the hard panels in the second, third and fourth embodiments. This barcan be either flat bar, channel or angle extrusions. It can also vary inthickness. The various embodiments use four different bars, each ofwhich has a specific purpose. The four types of bars are describedbelow.

The bar in the preferred embodiments of the second and third embodimentsis a piece of studded angle track with the studs removed. The angletrack provides more strength than a flat piece of metal, and the holesleft by removing the studs correspond to the points where the panels areattached to the bar.

The bar in the fourth embodiment (described below) is preferably a flatpiece of metal providing a low profile, although it could be a sectionof studded angle track which provides the strength and is readilyavailable off the shelf. If a flat bar is use, the panels fit neatlyover this flat bar such that the hard panel(s), if any, can be installedin the normal fashion, and the soft panels can be attached to the barwhile remaining close to the structure. If a section of studded angletrack is used, both the soft and hard panels can be installed on it.

Inside Bar—The bar used with the second embodiment.

Outside Bar—The bar used with an alternate embodiment to the secondembodiment.

Quick Release Bar—The bar used with the third embodiment. This bar usesat least two holes on each end for attaching the bar to the hard panels,and at least one slot in the middle for attaching the soft panel(s) tothe bar, although the preferred embodiment has three slots in the middleto accommodate two soft panels. Likewise, more than one can be used ateach end for a more secure connection of the bar to the hard panels.

Bar Track—This is the flat bar is used in the fourth embodiment toattach the soft panels. It is mounted to the structure and both hard andsoft panels can be attached with it or placed over it. Note that asection of studded angle track with the studs removed at the appropriateconnection points can be used for the same purpose.

Hard Track—Track that is attached to a structure and remains attachedupon release of soft panels.

Soft Track—Track that is released with attached panels utilizing someembodiments.

Industry Standard Methods of Attaching a Hurricane Panel or ProtectiveCloth to a Structure

Female Hardware—Anchors recessed into a wall with a threaded femaleopening for receiving a bolt. Examples are machine screw anchors,sidewalk bolts, Sammys®, female Panelmates and female inserts.

Male Hardware—Studs screwed into a wall with the male threaded endprotruding for receiving a wing nut. Examples are Tapcon SG™, malePanelmates, Panelmate Plus SS, Panelmate Pro and TVAS Anchors.

H-Header or U-Header/Channel Track—One end of panels, often the top, asinstalled, typically slide into the channel in these types of track.H-Header or U-Header/Channel track are typically used at one end of anopening (typically the top) with Studded Angle Track, F-Track orMale/Female methods of attachment being used at the other end of theopening (typically the bottom). This is useful for minimizing the numberof wing nuts which must be used to attach the hurricane shutter panelsthus simplifying and speeding up the installation process. Build outU-Header has an extension which extends the track channel away from thesurface of the structure. Build-out H-Header is typically used withopenings which require the channel to be spaced away from the wall toclear copings or window sills.

Studded Angle Track—The panels are attached to knurled bolts which arepressed into the track. Studded angle track is typically attached to thewall of the structure or to a step or sidewalk which may abut thestructure.

F-Track—The panels are attached utilizing specialized track bolts whichslide in and out of the bolt channel in the F-Track, allowingflexibility of panel mounting locations and the track bolts to beremoved when not in use. Some installations may use a regular hex nut inplace of the specialized track bolts. Wing nuts are typically used toattach the panels to the track bolts. Build-out F-Track has an extensionwhich extends the F-Track channel away from the surface of thestructure. Build out F-Track is for use with openings which require theF-Track channel to be spaced away from the wall, for example when thespace is necessary to clear a coping or window sill.

REFERENCES

The description refers to numerous conventional hardware components usedfor installing hurricane shutters. A good reference for these hardwarecomponents is found in the All Points Screw, Bolt, & Specialty Co. ofPompano Beach, Fla., Hurricane Hardware Catalog which is publiclyavailable on their website at the following Internet URL:

-   -   www.allpointsscrew.com/catalog/hurricaneHardware.pdf,    -   and which is incorporated herein by reference. Some useful        references in this catalog are:        Nuts and Bolts:    -   Sidewalk Bolts—Page 48    -   Washered Wing nuts—Page 51    -   Knurled Bolts (for Studded Angle Track)—Page 51    -   Track Bolts (for F-Track)—Page 52        Female Methods of Attachment (Anchors Recessed into a Wall with        a Threaded Female Opening for Receiving a Bolt):    -   Machine Screw Anchors and Sidewalk Bolts—Page 49    -   Sammys®—Page 60    -   Female Panelmate and Female Insert—Page 61        Male Methods of Attachment (Studs Screwed into a Wall with the        Male Threaded End Protruding for Receiving a Wing Nut):    -   Tapcon SG™—Page 60    -   Male Panelmate, Panelmate Plus SS, Panelmate Pro, TVAS        Anchor—Page 61

Likewise, the description herein refers to numerous conventional typesof hurricane panel mounting tracks. A good reference for types of tracksused to install hurricane panels is found on the Hurricane Depot, MiamiFla. website which is publicly available on the Internet at URLwww.hurricanedepot.com/tracks.htm, and which is incorporated herein byreference. According to this reference, common types of hurricaneshutter panel tracks include 2″×2″ Studded Angle, H-header (For 2″panels), U-Channel Header, 2″×2″ Reverse F-Track, Flat F-track, 2″×2″Reverse Studded Angle, 1″ Build-out U-header, 2″ Build-out U-header, 3″Build-out U-header, 1″ Build-out F-track, 2″ Build-out F-track, and 3″Build-out F-track.

Finally, before moving on to describe the various embodiments, it isdesirable to discuss the concept of an optional extraction mechanism.While the pin(s) can be removed manually, one pin at a time, an optionalextraction mechanism facilitates quick and efficient extraction of atleast one and preferably multiple pins in multiple assemblies at onetime. If an optional extraction mechanism is used, then the pin(s) areconnected to the extraction mechanism directly, or by the use of rings,lanyards, cables chains or any combination thereof, or any othersuitable means for connecting the pin(s) to the extraction mechanism. Insome installations, a direct connection to the extraction mechanism mynot be possible, for example if the top of the pin may be too far belowthe sill of the opening, and under these conditions other hardwarecomponents as described above must be used to facilitate thisconnection.

Although an extraction mechanism can take many forms, and can be assimple as the use of a pair of pliers being used to grab and extracteach pin one at a time, there are certain characteristics that aredesirable for an extraction mechanism to be used. While, as illustratedby the foregoing pliers example, this discussion is not intended to belimiting, a general description of a suitable extraction mechanismfollows:

-   -   i) a handle of a size suitable for grasping by a human hand;    -   ii) connection points for three or five pins, which correspond        to one or two panels of a standard installation;    -   iii) expandable to accommodate additional panels, so a one panel        (three connection points) handle can be adapted to accommodate        two panels (five connection points) or three panels (seven        connection points) and so on;    -   iv) sturdy, so as not to fail when extraction forces are        applied;    -   v) employ optional hardware to make the connection between the        pins and the connection points on the handle.

In any of the embodiments, when the pins are connected to the extractionmechanism, the extraction mechanism can then be used to extract the pinsfrom multiple assemblies thereby facilitating the quick removal ofmultiple assemblies and one or more corresponding panels attachedtherewith.

A first embodiment provides for a “quick release bolt assembly” similarto the one disclosed in the first embodiment of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/852,994. As compared to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,994 a preferred embodiment of the first embodiment uses a boltwith a larger diameter, e.g., “ 5/16-18 bolt” (thus requiring thecorresponding holes to be drilled in the F-Track or the bolt holes inthe studded angle track to be enlarged). The use of a larger diameterbolt enables the use of a larger diameter pin, which together withstandgreater stresses than the original embodiment. In this embodiment, a pincomprising a quick release pin has a larger diameter single shaft thanthe hitch pin clip used in a previous application. This single-shaftquick release pin is stronger and preferable to the smaller diameterdual-shaft hitch pin clip disclosed in the prior application.

The quick release bolt assembly of this first embodiment is designedprimarily for use with F-Track and with some installations of StuddedAngle Track. This quick release bolt assembly may also be used withother embodiments for attaching and releasing both panels and track. Thequick release bolt assembly of the first embodiment comprises a headlessbolt with a pin hole in one end. Although the entire length of the quickrelease bolt may be threaded, preferably the end with the pin is notthreaded, and at least a portion of the end beyond the pin hole isthreaded. The F-Track is attached to the structure, and is modified ateach panel attachment point with holes in the top and bottom track sizedaccommodate a pin, and a hole in the back of the track channel sized toallow the pin end of the quick release bolt to be recessed into the backof the track channel. When a quick release bolt is placed in the F-Trackat the appropriate attachment point, a pin is inserted through the topchannel of the track, through the hole in the bolt and the hole in thebottom channel of the track to secure said quick release bolt to theF-Track.

The panel can then be attached securely to the structure using a nut,wing nut or preferably a washered wing nut. An optional washer can beplaced between the panel and wing nut to evenly distribute the tensionof the nut or wing nut on the panel, and to assist in preventing overtightening. When this optional washer is used, a bonded washer (neopreneor other substance bonded to one surface) is preferred, with the bondedend being placed to contact the panel.

When the pin is extracted from a connection point made with a quickrelease bolt assembly, the panel is released at that connection point,and when all the pins connecting one or more attachment points areextracted the panel(s) is/are released for quick removal. The design ofthe quick release bolt assembly is similar to the design disclosed inthe first and second embodiments of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,994, with a modification in the size of the bolt, size and typeof the pin, and the modification in the means of attachment to theF-Track.

Finally, if desired, a optional hole may be disposed at the threaded endof the quick release bolt to allow for a series of the quick releasesbolt assemblies to be attached together, for example with pins andlanyard, so components of the quick release bolt assemblies remaintethered together when the hardware is released; thus preventing themultiple quick bolts from scattering when released.

The quick release bolt may also be used with studded angle track. To usethe quick release bolt with studded angle track, the studs in thestudded angle track at each attachment point to be used must be removed,and depending on the diameter of the quick release bolts being used, thecorresponding openings where the studs are removed may have to beenlarged. To attach a panel, the quick release bolts are placed throughthe holes in the studded angle track (where the studs were removed) andthe pin is passed through the pin hole in the quick release bolt. Whenthe panels are attached, the pin rests on the back of the studded angletrack and the quick release bolts are secured in place in the studdedangle track. When the pins are extracted, the quick release bolts andcorresponding attachment points of the panels are released allowing thepanels to be removed.

When this first embodiment is used with studded angle track, it ispreferable for the studded angle track to be mounted to the groundadjacent to the opening with the mounting hardware disposed in theunstudded side of the angle. However, if the studded angle track must bemounted to the structure on the studded side of the angle, then spacersmust be used at the mounting points to create space for the back of thequick release bolt and pins. Thus, in an existing installation, theinstallation must be retrofitted to add these spacers.

In the preferred embodiments of the second, third and fourthembodiments, the panels to be removed are attached using a bar togetherwith an adaptation of the sleeve and bolt assembly of the thirdembodiment of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994. This isreferred to herein as the “quick release sleeve assembly.” Themodification from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994 is the useof a bolt with a head replaces the headless bolt used in the priorapplication. These components, as modified herein, are referred to asthe “quick release sleeve assembly.”

The second embodiment is designed to release one or more panels ininstallations comprising at least two panels more than the number ofpanels being released. The preferred embodiment uses a quick releasesleeve assembly and a bar to release two center panels in configurationsof four or more panels. For example, one panel could be released in athree panel configuration, or three panels could be released in a fivepanel configuration.

In this second embodiment, a bar is used to attach the panels beingreleased to the two panels on either side which are attached to thestructure by conventional means. When the pins in the quick releasesleeve assembly are removed and the components are disconnected andremoved from the bar and panels, the panels intended to be released canthen be removed.

In the preferred embodiment of this second embodiment, the bar remainsinside the structure and the panels separate from the bar when therelease mechanism is activated.

In an alternate embodiment, the bar is located outside the structure andis detached from the panels adjacent to the ones being released, andremains attached to the panels being released.

A third embodiment utilizes the quick release sleeve assembly and aslotted bar which rotates around one connection point on a hard paneland functions as an arm, which when raised, releases connections to thesoft panels, and like the second embodiment, can be used to release oneor more panels in installations comprising at least two panels more thanthe number of panels being released. This third embodiment makes themost use of standardized parts. In its preferred embodiment, it utilizesonly one quick release sleeve assembly. The slotted bar of thisembodiment is used to attach the panels being released to the adjacent,non-releasing (hard) panels. In the preferred embodiment, at least onequick release sleeve assembly attaches one end of the bar to one panelon one side of the panels being released. The other side of the bar isattached to the panel on the other side of the panels being releasedwith a single bolt and wing nut such that the slotted bar can pivotabout the bolt at this point of connection.

In the preferred embodiment of this third embodiment, the center of thebar has three slots which correspond to holes in the two center panelsbeing released, such holes being at points of attachment where thepanels being released do not intersect with the adjacent panels. Thepanels being released are attached to the bar through the slots usingbolts and wing nuts to secure the panels to the bar. When the pin isremoved from the quick release sleeve assembly and the correspondingsleeve, wing nut, and bolt are removed from the bar and panel, the barcan be raised from that end while pivoting about the other end, thusreleasing the connection between the bar and the center panels throughsaid slots.

Two variations of this third embodiment dispense with the quick releasesleeve assembly and use a bolt and wing nut for all the attachments,thus relying solely on off-the-shelf parts. In one such variation, thebolt and wing nut at one end of the bar is removed manually, allowingthe bar to pivot about the other end for releasing the center panels. Inthe other variation, an extra slot is place in the bar at one end,allowing the bar to be raised without undoing any components. Othervariations of this embodiment include using two bolts at each end of thebar (undoing three to release) or using three quick release sleeveassemblies (undoing three to release).

A fourth embodiment employs the quick release sleeve assembly togetherwith a flat bar which serves as a track, and is referred to herein asthe “bar track.” The bar track as disclosed herein is a flat bar, forexample a ¼′ thick (or greater) piece of aluminum or steel. In thepreferred embodiment, the bar track is placed just above the sill of awindow or door opening and is attached to the structure on either sideof the opening, and has holes across its length to correspond to theholes in the panels which are to be installed. The panels slated forattachment and removal with this embodiment are attached to this bartrack using quick release sleeve assemblies. This fourth embodiment ispreferred for use with small openings having three or fewer panels anddoes not have the constraint of the second and third embodiments whichrequire panels not slated for removal to be mounted with specialhardware. In its preferred embodiment this fourth embodiment enables therelease of two panels in a two or three panel installation; however,one, two or three panels can be attached and released with thisembodiment. When the pins are removed from the quick release sleeveassemblies, the panels so attached are released.

While the preferred embodiment of this fourth embodiment uses a flat barfor a bar track because of its strength and low profile, a modifiedsection of studded angle track may be used instead. While the studdedangle track does not have the low profile of a single sided bar, itprovides the strength derived from the angle and has the advantage ofbeing an off-the-shelf component. If a studded angle track is used forthis purpose, then the studs at the attachment points to be used must beremoved to accommodate the bolt of the quick release sleeve assembly.

The advantages of the second, third and fourth embodiments are that theycan be employed universally with almost any method for attachinghurricane shutter panels.

The fifth embodiment employs a “stepped quick release sleeve assembly”which is a variation of the quick release sleeve assembly. This fifthembodiment is designed for use with direct mount installation systemsemploying female mounting hardware disposed in a structure. Thus thestepped quick release sleeve assembly derives its title from thecombination of a stepped bolt and a sleeve.

In the preferred embodiment, the variation is the use of a stepped boltwith a ¼-20 thread on one end, and a 5/16 plain shaft on the other end.This allows the bolt to be connected to typical ¼-20 female hardware formounting hurricane panels and track, while the increase to a 5/16diameter permits the use of a larger pin and sleeve, which are moreresistant to sheer forces. A spacer is used to create space between thepanel and the structure to allow room for the pin between the structureand the panel. Although this spacer can be of any dimension as long asthe object of creating space for the pin is achieved, in the preferredembodiment, this spacer is ½″ in depth and has one hole across this ½″depth sized to accommodate the sleeve of the stepped quick releasesleeve assembly. A second hole cross-bored to the first holeaccommodates the pin.

Another improvement introduced to this embodiment is the use of astepped sleeve with two diameters, the larger diameter being on thefirst end and the narrower diameter being on the second end.

The stepped quick release sleeve assembly of this fifth embodiment isintended for use in conjunction with female hurricane hardwarecomponents permanently mounted to a structure. Such female hardwarecomponents include but are not limited to sidewalk anchors, femalePanelmates®, Sammys® and similar installation hardware methods where theinstallation makes use of female hardware to attach the panels or trackdirectly to the structure.

While this fifth embodiment of a stepped quick release assembly isintended to be used to attach and quick release hurricane panels to andfrom the structure itself, it can also be used for attaching and quickreleasing track to and from a structure thereby releasing the track andpanels together and having the same effect. Likewise, this embodimentcan be used to attach and quick release any second object to and from afirst object, for example an emergency escape hatch in a piece ofmachinery.

It is important to note that while the two and three stepped variationsof the stepped quick release sleeve assembly employing a fender washer(or other flat piece of metal) are disclosed in this fifth embodimentfor use with female direct mount hardware, this concept of using ashoulder combined with a fender washer (or other flat piece of metal) intwo or three steps can be used with any of the sleeve or boltembodiments. Thus any of the embodiments disclosed herein can bedesigned to circumvent the potential for failure caused by human erroror misuse, more particularly the binding of the pin in the othercomponents caused by over tightening of the hardware by the user.

In the preferred embodiment of this fifth embodiment, the stepped quickrelease sleeve assembly is used with female hardware such as sidewalkanchors, female Panelmates or SAMMYs for attaching the panels slated forquick release. This fifth embodiment takes the place of conventionalsidewalk bolts which are typically used to attach panels with femaledirect mount hardware.

Spacers are utilized to create space between the panel and the structureto make room for the pin. The modification made from the quick releasesleeve assembly (used with the second, third and fourth embodiment andthat disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994) is theuse of a stepped bolt in place of the headed bolt used in said quickrelease sleeve assembly. The addition of a spacer between the panel andthe structure provides sufficient space between said panel and structureso that a pin placed into the sleeve and bolt from between the panel andthe structure. This spacer is necessary to make room for the pin,because without it the pin would become wedged between the panel and thewall rendering the assembly non-functional. The use of this spacer thusenables the pin to be relocated to the inboard side of the structurewhere it is accessible from inside of the opening and is thereforeremovable from inside of the structure.

The stepped bolt is threaded on one end to match the thread in thefemale sidewalk or other anchor, and stepped up at the distal end whichis unthreaded in the preferred embodiment, but may be unthreaded as wellwithout affecting the intended functionality. The smaller threaded endallows the assembly to be used with existing industry standard femaledirect mount hardware, and the increased bolt diameter on the distal endenables the use of cross-bored holes sufficient in diameter toaccommodate a larger diameter quick release pin in place of the smallergage hitch pin clip used in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994.This quick release pin provides a much sturdier connection for thecomponents which is much less likely to become distorted in the event ofan object strike on the panel or mounting hardware during a storm event.

A spacer is made of a material of sufficient strength to support thepressure of the panel pressing it against the wall of the structurewithout collapsing, and of sufficient depth so as to provide room forthe pin between the panel and the wall of the structure and to preventthe pin from being wedged between the panel and the structure. Saidspacer has a hole running through its depth, said hole being sized toaccommodate one end of the sleeve. When installed, this spacer fits overthe stepped bolt and sleeve, and rests between the panel and structure.The pin passes through a cross-bored hole in the spacer and through thestepped bolt and sleeve, thus engaging the sleeve in place.

A threaded sleeve has an inside diameter (preferably unthreaded) whichis sufficient so that it can be placed over the distal end of thestepped bolt, and has a pin hole corresponding to the pin in the steppedbolt. The thread on the sleeve corresponds to the thread on a nut,preferably a wing nut. Variations of this sleeve may have two or threesteps of diameter as discussed below.

In a two stepped variation, the first end of the sleeve has the widerdiameter, said diameter being is sized such that the sleeve can bedisposed in the spacer leaving a portion of said first end to protrudebeyond the surface of said spacer thus creating a shoulder. This firstend of the sleeve need not be threaded. The second end of the sleeve isthreaded corresponding to the thread on a wing nut just as the singlestepped sleeve. A flat piece of metal, preferably a fender washer has ahole sized to fit over the second end of the sleeve yet of a smallerdiameter than the first end of the sleeve, thus resting on the shoulderof the first end of the sleeve when put in place.

While a two stepped variation is desirable, the preferred embodimentemploys a three stepped sleeve. The steps on either end of the sleeveare the same as in the two-stepped variation described above. The centerstep is of a diameter between the steps on either end, and is preferablythe same depth as the thickness of the fender washer (or other flatpiece of metal). The diameter of the hole in said fender washer (orother flat piece of metal) is sized such that it can be pressed ontosaid center step. This three stepped sleeve design minimizes the risk offailure caused by human error or misuse, namely over tightening of thenut or wing nut that secures the panel in place, and further bypreventing the fender washer from being omitted or installed in theimproper sequence. Thus, a three-stepped stepped quick release sleeveassembly is the preferred embodiment of this fifth embodiment.

It should be recognized that while the three stepped sleeve combinedwith a fender washer (or other flat piece of metal) is the preferredembodiment, and the two stepped sleeve and fender washer variation isalso suitable, the concept of this design does not necessarily requirethe use of a fender washer. If the diameter of the first large end ofthe sleeve is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the mountingholes on the panel, then the shoulder of this first end may be used forthe same purpose. The reason the use of the fender washer is preferredis that it provides a larger surface to support the panel, therebyenabling the use of a lesser diameter sleeve. Without the fender washerthe larger diameter end of the sleeve must be significantly larger thanthat used in the preferred embodiment. In mass production, the design ofthe two and three stepped sleeve and fender washer combination willresult in substantial cost savings on material, as less material will beneeded to manufacture the sleeves. Further, the sleeves will weigh lessand result in a corresponding reduction in delivery costs to thedistribution points.

As with the quick release bolt, if desired, an optional hole on one endof the threaded sleeve may be added to allow a series of the steppedquick release sleeve assemblies to be attached together, for examplewith pins and lanyard, so components of multiple stepped quick releasesleeve assemblies do not scatter and stay together when the panels arereleased. If a two or three stepped sleeve as discussed above is used,this optional hole is not necessary as the sleeves are attached to thepanel(s) between the fender washer and wing nut, and will not scatter inthese embodiments.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment which uses a three steppedsleeve, when in use, the threaded end of the stepped bolt is turned intothe female hardware already disposed in the wall of the structure. Thesleeve and spacer are put in place over the stepped bolt and the threecomponents are connected together by a pin. When the panel is put inplace, the inboard side of the panel rests on the fender washer which ispressed onto the center step of the sleeve. A nut, preferably a wingnut, with a thread matching the thread on the distal end of the sleeveis used to attach the panel. If desired, an optional washer can beplaced between the panel and nut or wing nut to evenly distribute thetension of the nut or wing nut on the panel, and to assist in preventingover tightening. When this optional washer is used, a bonded washer(neoprene or other substance bonded to one surface) is preferred, withthe bonded end being placed to contact the panel.

When the panels are securely attached with the stepped quick releasesleeve assemblies, extracting the pins releases the sleeves and freespanels so attached for removal.

In an alternate embodiment of the stepped quick release sleeve assembly,the hole for the pin can be moved away from the threaded end of the bolt(or a second hole can be added) thus enabling the stepped quick releasesleeve assembly to be used without a spacer for attaching and releasingtrack (particularly studded angle track) to and from a structure. Thisvariation is discussed further below.

In a variation of this fifth embodiment, the stepped quick releasesleeve assembly is used to attach and release track, and the panels arereleased together with the track when the track is released. In thisvariation, use of spacers is not required because the stepped quickrelease sleeve assemblies are located on the track, in the space betweenthe ridges of the attachment points of the panels, where there is roomfor attaching and releasing the pins.

By changing the placement of the hole in the stepped bolt of the steppedquick release sleeve assembly, or by adding a second hole, the steppedquick release sleeve assembly can be used to attach track in place ofpanels. Typically, when used to attach track, the stepped quick releasesleeve assembly does not require a spacer. Note that this eighthembodiment when used to attach and release track can be utilized onlywith installations where the entire track at an opening and all thepanels attached to it are being removed. This variation cannot be usedin conjunction with a combination of hard and soft panels. In thepreferred embodiment of this eighth embodiment, female wall anchorsaccept the headless bolt of the stepped quick release sleeve assembly.This headless bolt is cross-bored distally to the threaded end, which isinserted into the wall anchor. The track is then secured to the wallutilizing the threaded sleeve, pin and nut (typically a wing nut)assembly, with the use of an optional washer if desired. Although thepin in each such assembly can be extracted directly, in the preferredembodiment the pin is attached to an extraction mechanism on the insideside of the panel, and when the pin(s) is/are extracted, the track isreleased from the wall, thereby also releasing any panels attached tothis track for removal. This embodiment is particularly useful withF-Track and studded angle track, and does not require any modificationto the track or the panel(s). Ideally this embodiment is used on shortsections of track attaching one to three panels. Although it can be usedwith longer sections of track, it is also possible to cut a longer trackinto two sections, and use this embodiment on one section of track whichcorresponds only to the panel(s) slated for removal from the inside ofthe structure.

Likewise, the bolt and sleeve assembly of the third embodiment of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/852,994 can be utilized to attach andrelease an entire section of track. In such an application, a bolt andsleeve assembly is used to secure the track to the structure utilizinghardware components of the third embodiment of the prior application. Inthis variation of this installation method the headless bolt of thethird embodiment of the prior application is cross-bored to accept a pinat one end, is inserted into a female wall anchor such that the boltprotrudes from the structure sufficient length to secure any variety ofhurricane track to the structure utilizing a pin and optional washer.The track is then secured to the wall by tightening the headless bolt,which optionally my have a square or hexagonal head of same diameter asthe bolt to facilitate tightening, with the pin inserted and theoptional washer in place until the track is held securely to thestructure by the pin and optional washer. When the pin(s) holding thetrack to the structure is/are extracted, the track is released from thestructure, together with the corresponding panels attached to the track.Likewise, this embodiment is particularly useful with F-Track andstudded angle track. It is most useful on short sections of track,attached to one to three panels, and has similar advantages to theforegoing embodiment that utilizes the additional sleeve and nut.

A sixth embodiment is intended for use with male hardware componentsmounted in a structure for attaching hurricane panels to a structure.This embodiment employs a “dual quick release sleeve assembly” to attachand release panels. Such male hardware components include but are notlimited to wall mounted studs, male Panelmates, similar installationmethods where the male members of the conventional means of attachmentprotrude from the wall and washered wing nuts are used to attach thepanels directly to the male components. This embodiment can also be usedwith studded angle track where the back of the track is flush to thewall of the structure thus leaving no room for the bolt and pin of thefirst embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of this sixth embodiment utilizes a dual quickrelease sleeve assembly for use with direct mount male hardwarecomponents. This term dual quick release sleeve assembly is used becausethis embodiment employs two sleeves.

A first sleeve has a first end with an inside diameter having threadcorresponding in size and depth to the male hardware component to whichit is to be attached, although the inside diameter and thread maycontinue beyond that point. Further, this first sleeve has a tabprotruding from the outside diameter of the first end, the length ofsaid tab corresponding approximately with the depth of a sleeve(described below) and having a hole in said tab sized for accommodatinga pin. The second end of the first sleeve is round with a smooth outsidediameter, and preferable solid; although in variations, the outsidediameter may be threaded and the inside diameter may be hollow, as acontinuation of the inside diameter of the first end.

A second sleeve, also with at least one tab at a first end with a pinhole, both of said at least one tab and pin hole corresponding to thetab and pin hole on the first sleeve. This second sleeve further has aninside diameter sized to accommodate the first sleeve, and a slot in thefirst end sized to accommodate the slot in the first sleeve; such thatthe second sleeve can be placed over the first sleeve.

A spacer with a U-channel on one side is used to create space betweenthe panel and the structure for the pin that is used to connect thesecond sleeve to the first sleeve. This spacer has a cross-bored hole ata 90 degree angle to the U-channel, said cross-bored hole sized toaccommodate the pin, and passing through the U-channel at a point whereit aligns with the pin holes in the tabs on the first and secondsleeves.

When assembled, the first end of the first sleeve is threaded onto themale hardware component as close as possible to the structure whileleaving the tab on the first end horizontal to the adjacent surface ofthe opening in the structure. The second sleeve and spacer are put inplace and connected to the first sleeve with the pin. The panel is thenplaced over the assembly as secured in place with a nut or wing nut. Ifdesired, an optional washer can be placed between the panel and nut orwing nut to evenly distribute the tension of the nut or wing nut on thepanel, and to assist in preventing over tightening. When this optionalwasher is used, a bonded washer (neoprene or other substance bonded toone surface) is preferred, with the bonded end being placed to contactthe panel. When the panels are attached and the pins are removed, thesecond sleeve is released from the first sleeve thereby releasing thepanels.

A variation of this sixth embodiment is an earlier design in which thepin is disposed in the two sleeves at an angle, and at a point beyondthe distal end of the male hardware component. The pin is connected to ashaft and the shaft passes through the panel, so the pin can be removedfrom inside the structure. Optionally, the first and second sleeves mayalso have at least one additional corresponding hole to accommodate asecond pin, which second pin may be utilized to hold the assembly inplace while the panel is being attached and the first pin is beinginserted. If used, this optional second pin must be removed after thepanel is attached and the first pin is inserted. While this variation ofthe sixth embodiment uses sleeves without tabs (which are less costlyand difficult to produce), and does not require the use of a spacer, thepin is disposed on the outboard side of the panels and is exposed topotential object strikes during a storm event. Hence, althoughdisclosed, this variation is not preferred.

In an alternate embodiment, a sleeveless system employs a bolt, washerand pin to achieve the purpose of securing a track or a panel to astructure. The bolt with a first pin hole and a second pin hole ispartially threaded into the female mounting hardware, and the panel isplace over the bolt. A washer is placed over the bolt and panel, and thefirst pin is inserted to capture the washer on the bolt. The second pinis inserted and used to turn the bolt until the first pin and washercapture the panel securely. The second pin is then removed and theassembly is enabled to quick release the panel. When the first pin isextracted, the washer and panel are freed, and either the track(together with the panel(s) attached to the track) or the panel(s) arereleased from the structure.

In an eighth embodiment, a car disposed internally to the F-Trackchannel and actuator connected to the F-Track are used in combination toattach and release the panel, with the panel attached by a nut to abolt. The bolt is attached by a pin to the internal car disposed with amale track which slides inside the F-Track channel. An actuator, alsomounted in the track, is used to redirect the vertical force on alanyard attached to a handle to a horizontal force, to extract the pinfrom the car, thereby releasing the bolt. In another variation, therelease is not dependent on a pin, and the actuator releases the boltdirectly. An optional set screw may be used to hold the internal car inplace within the F-Track channel.

In general, the preferred use is with installations that utilize a trackor direct mount hardware at the bottom of an opening, and H-Header orU-Channel track (or similar) at the top of an opening, or build outvariations of these track types. The use of the system at the bottom ofan opening and H-Header or U-Channel track at the top of the opening isthe preferred combination of installation hardware, particularly in newinstallations. However, the same configuration of hardware and track canbe used on either side of an opening. Likewise, the system can be usedon both ends of a panel, for example in existing direct mount systemsthat have male or female hardware already installed in the structure atboth ends on an opening.

The first embodiment is the preferred means for use with F-Track and forstudded angle track in installations where the track is attached to theground and the back of the track is exposed to the opening with enoughclearance between the track and structure to enable the pins to beinserted into the bolts. In the case of studded angle track where it isattached directly to a structure, spacers can be utilized between thestudded angle track and the structure in order to create space for thepin between the track and the structure.

The second, third and fourth embodiments can be used in conjunction withvarious means of attaching hurricane shutter panels to a structure,including but not limited to studded angle track, F-Track, malePanelmates (or other type of wall mounted studs) and female Panelmatesor sidewalk anchors. Thus the second, third and fourth embodimentsprovide a universal means for the attachment and quick release ofhurricane shutter panels that can be used in conjunction withconventionally mounted panels in existing installations. The preferredof these embodiments is the fourth embodiment, which is best suited toinstallations using one to three panels.

A fifth embodiment is for use in conjunction with direct mountinstallations that employ female hardware components installed in thestructure. The preferred embodiment is a stepped quick release sleeveassembly that utilizes a two stepped bolt and a three stepped sleeveused to attach and quick release panels to and from a structure.Variations of this embodiment are used to attach and quick release trackto and from a structure having the same effect, and a sleevelessvariation thereof that employs a bolt, washer and pin to achieve thesame purpose for attaching and releasing track.

The sixth embodiment is for use in conjunction with direct mountinstallations that make use of male hardware components installed in thestructure. The preferred embodiment uses a dual quick release sleeveassembly and spacer combination with the pin accessible from inside thestructure. At least one tab on each of the two sleeves accommodates thepin which cannot be in the center of the assembly because the malehardware component occupies this space. As with the fifth embodiment, avariation of this alternate embodiment can utilize a two or threestepped second sleeve and fender washer combination to minimize thepotential for failure from human error or misuse that can result fromover tightening of the wing nut on the panel.

The seventh embodiment employs a sleeveless system employs a bolt,washer and pin to achieve the purpose of securing a track or a panel toa structure. An eighth embodiment comprises an internal car with arelease mechanism that is disposed within the channel of an F-Track andconnected to an extraction mechanism by a cable or lanyard through anactuator designed to redirect the vertical force applied by theextraction mechanism to a horizontal force for extracting the pin andreleasing the bolt from the car within the F-Track channel.

Further, the advantages of the first, fifth and sixth embodiments arethat they utilize conventional installation methods withoutmodifications to the panels or engineering requirements of existingindustry standard installation methods.

The construction and use of each embodiment will become clear in thedetailed description of the figures and corresponding embodiments of theinvention below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows the components of the quick release bolt assembly of thefirst embodiment as disassembled and a top down view of the componentsas assembled with a section of hurricane panel mounted in a section ofF-Track.

FIG. 1B shows a view of F-Track modified to accommodate the quickrelease bolt and pin of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows the components of the quick release bolt assembly of thefirst embodiment as disassembled and a top down view of the componentsas assembled with a section of hurricane panel mounted in a section ofstudded angle track. The studded angle track is shown mounted to thestructure with spacers, which are necessary to make room between theback of the studded angle track and the structure.

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of the studded angle track as modified toaccommodate the components of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows a lanyard disposed with hitch pin clips used to keep thecomponents of various embodiments from scattering when they arereleased.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the lanyard and hitch pin clips attached tothe quick release bolts of the first embodiment to illustrate how thecomponents of various embodiments can be connected together to preventthe parts from scattering when the pins are extracted and the panelsremoved.

FIG. 4A shows the components of the quick release bolt assembly of thesecond, third and fourth embodiments as disassembled and a top down viewof the components as assembled with a section of hurricane panel mountedin a section of bar track of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a section of bar track as used with the fourthembodiment in an opening sized for a two panel installation.

FIG. 4C illustrates the fourth embodiment in an opening sized for athree panel installation wherein the panel on the left is a hard panelto be attached to direct mount hardware in the structure below theopening and the center and right panels are soft panels are to beattached to a section of bar track with the quick release sleeveassembly.

FIG. 4D illustrates the fourth embodiment in an opening sized for athree panel installation utilizing a section of modified studded angletrack, wherein the panel on the left is a hard panel to be attached withwing nuts to the two remaining studs on the left side of the modifiedstudded angle track, and the center and right panels are soft panels tobe attached to the modified studded angle track with the quick releasesleeve assembly. Note that the right side connection of the hard panelwill rest under the left side connection of the soft panel and willwhere both are connected with a quick release sleeve assembly.

FIG. 5A shows a flanged nut used to make the transition between a hardand soft panel, with the hard panel attached with the flanged nut andthe soft panel resting over the hard panel and flanged nut.

FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E show various views of the flanged nut used fortransitioning between hard and soft panels.

FIG. 6 shows the components of an alternate embodiment of the steppedquick release sleeve assembly of the fifth embodiment as disassembledand a top down view of the components as assembled with a section ofhurricane panel mounted in female direct mount hardware installed in astructure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show additional views of the components of an alternateembodiment of the stepped quick release sleeve which further illustratehow the components fit together.

FIG. 8A shows the components a stepped quick release sleeve assembly ofthe fifth embodiment utilizing a two-stepped sleeve as disassembled anda top down view of the components as assembled with a section ofhurricane panel mounted in female direct mount hardware installed in astructure.

FIG. 8B shows a three-stepped sleeve of the preferred embodiment of thestepped quick release sleeve assembly.

FIG. 9 shows the components of an the dual quick release sleeve assemblyof the sixth embodiment as disassembled and a top down view of thecomponents as assembled with a section of hurricane panel mounted inmale direct mount hardware installed in a structure.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show additional views of the components of the dualquick release sleeve assembly which further illustrate how thecomponents fit together.

FIGS. 10C and 10D show views of two-stepped and three-stepped secondsleeves of the dual quick release sleeve assembly.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show views of a possible design for an extractionmechanism designed for a single panel with three connection points.

FIG. 12 shows a view of a possible design for an extraction mechanismwith extension members that allow it to be extended to accommodate twopanels with five connection points, and illustrate how the extensionmembers fit in with and connect to the single panel extraction mechanismof FIGS. 11A and 11B. Note that each extension arm can accommodate otherextension arms, thereby allowing a single extraction mechanism to beadapted to accommodate various multiples of panels and connectionpoints.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows the components of the quick release bolt assembly in thecenter as disassembled with a section of F-Track 24. The componentsinclude a quick release bolt 10 which has a hole at one end 11 disposedand sized to accommodate a pin 16. The pin 16 has an optional ring 18for making a connection to an optional extraction mechanism, althoughany hardware suitable for connecting the pin to an extraction mechanism,including but not limited to a cable, lanyard, multiple rings or acombination thereof can be used for this purpose. A wing nut 12 andoptional washer 14 are also shown. An optional second hole 19A is shownat the distal end of the quick release bolt, and the function of thissecond hole is discussed in more detail under the description of FIGS.3A and 3B.

The structure 80 is shown in a cut-away view with a section of F-Track24 attached to said structure. The F-Track 24 is modified to accommodatea quick release bolt 10 at each attachment point, as discussed in moredetail under FIG. 1B below. A section of soft hurricane panel 7 is shownas attached with the quick release bolt assembly on the left attachmentpoint. The quick release bolt 10 is attached to the F-Track 24 with thepin 16. When the soft panel 7 positioned at its attachment points overthe quick release bolt 10, the soft panel 7 can be secured to theF-Track 24 with the wing nut 12. In this view, the assembly is shownwith the optional washer 14 between the wing nut 12 and the soft panel7; and the optional ring 18 is shown as attached to the pin 16.

FIG. 1B shows a view of F-Track 24 modified with holes in the top andbottom track channels 26 to accommodate the pin 16, and a hole in theback of the track channel 25 to enable the quick release bolt (notshown) to be recessed into the back of the track channel.

FIG. 2A shows the components of the quick release bolt assembly in thecenter as disassembled with a section of studded angle track 28. Thecomponents include a quick release bolt 10 which has a hole at one end11 disposed and sized to accommodate a pin 16. The pin 16 has anoptional ring 18 for making a connection to an optional extractionmechanism, although any hardware suitable for connecting the pin to anextraction mechanism, including but not limited to a cable, lanyard,multiple rings or a combination thereof can be used for this purpose. Awing nut 12 and optional washer 14 are also shown. An optional secondhole 19A is shown at the distal end of the quick release bolt, and thefunction of this second hole is discussed in more detail under thedescription of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The structure 80 is shown in a cut-away view with a section of studdedangle track 28 attached to said structure with spacers 15 and tapcons 17which along with sidewalk bolts (not shown) and female hardware (notshown) are among the industry standard methods for attaching track to astructure. These spacers 15 are used to create space between the back ofthe studded angle track 28 and the structure 80 to accommodate the quickrelease bolt 10 and pin 16. The studded angle track 18 is modified toaccommodate a quick release bolt 10 at each attachment point, asdiscussed in more detail under FIG. 2B below. A section of softhurricane panel 7 is shown as attached with the quick release boltassembly on the left attachment point. The quick release bolt 10 ispassed through a hole in the studded angle track 28 and attached withthe pin 16 on the inboard (back) side of the studded angle track 28.When the soft panel 7 positioned at its attachment points over the quickrelease bolt 10, the soft panel 7 and quick release bolt 10 are securedin place to the studded angle track 28 the with the wing nut 12. In thisview, the assembly is shown with the optional washer 14 between the wingnut 12 and the soft panel 7; and the optional ring 18 is shown asattached to the pin 16, and the pin rests and is tensioned on theinboard (back) side of the studded angle track 28.

FIG. 2B shows a view of studded angle track 28 modified by the removalof studs at the attachment points where the soft panels (not shown) areattached to create holes 29A for the quick release bolts 10. Themounting holes 29B in the studded angle track 28 correspond to mountingholes 29C in the spacers 15. When studded angle track 28 is used inconjunction with the quick release bolt assembly, if the studded angletrack 28 cannot be mounted on the ground in a position to provide spacefor the quick release bolt and pin on the inboard side of the studdedangle track 28, then the studded angle track is mounted with spacers 15,which are ideally dispersed between attachment points for the softpanels (not shown).

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a method for using a cable or lanyard 19B orseries thereof in conjunction with a second set of pins 19C to connect aseries of quick release bolts 10 together through optional second holes19A in the quick release bolts 10. When a series of quick release bolts10 are attached together utilizing this method, they are prevented fromscattering when the components are released. Although this method isshown herein with a series of quick release bolts, the concept can beapplied to other embodiments including but not limited to the quickrelease sleeve assembly, the stepped quick release sleeve assembly andthe dual quick release sleeve assembly, all of which are discussed indetail in this application.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the lanyard and hitch pin clips attached tothe quick release bolts of the first embodiment to illustrate how thecomponents of various embodiments can be connected together to preventthe parts from scattering when the pins are extracted and the panelsremoved.

FIG. 4A shows the components of the quick release sleeve assembly of thesecond, third and fourth embodiments in the center as disassembled, andshown with the bar track 42 of the fourth embodiment. The componentsinclude a standard sidewalk bolt 31 modified with at least one pin hole36A on its shaft. An optional second hole 36B can be used to accommodatedifferent thicknesses of panels and other hardware. In this fourthembodiment, the head of the sidewalk bolt 31 is located on the outboardside of the bar track 42, and the soft panel 7 is disposed between thehead of the sidewalk bolt 31 and the bar track 42, with the shaft of thesidewalk bolt 31 passing through the soft panel 7 at its connectionpoint and a corresponding hole in the bar-track 42 (not visible in thisview). On the inboard side of the bar track 42 are the quick releasesleeve 30 with a hole 35A to accommodate a pin 32 to correspond with thehole 26A in the sidewalk bolt 31. An optional hole 35B is shown in thequick release sleeve 30 to also accommodate different thicknesses ofpanels and other hardware. Thus if optional holes 36B and 35B are used,then holes 35A or 35B can be combined with either of holes 36A and 36Bto accommodate a variety of hardware components of differentspecification such thus maximizing the options for a best fit withouthaving to customize hardware for each specific installation . . . quickrelease bolt 10 which has a hole at one end 11 disposed and sized toaccommodate a pin 16. The particular pin 32 used with the second, thirdand fourth embodiments is a hitch pin clip which can be attached to anextraction mechanism with a ring, cable, lanyard or other hardware forconnecting (not shown).

The structure 80 is shown in a cut-away view with a section of bar track42 which is attached to the outside of the structure 80 proximate anopening in said structure 80, and a section of soft panel 7.

While a bar track 42 is the preferred method four use with the fourthembodiment because of its strength and low profile, the same purpose canbe achieved using a section of studded angle track (not shown) with thestuds removed at the attachment points of the soft panel 7.

The view at the connection point on the left shows the soft panel 7attached with the stepped quick release sleeve assembly. The soft panel7 is held in place by the head of the sidewalk bolt 31, and is held inplace on the bar track 42 by the wing nut 33 which is tensioned on thequick release sleeve 30 which is connected to the sidewalk bolt 31 withthe pin 32. In this view, the assembly is shown with the optional washer14 between the wing nut 12 and the soft panel 7.

FIG. 4B illustrates a section of bar track 42 as used with the fourthembodiment in an opening sized for a two panel installation. The bartrack 42 is attached to the structure 80 at three points on each side 69of the opening in the structure 81. The bar track 42 has five holes 68corresponding to the attachment points of two panels which overlap atthe center attachment point. The sidewalk bolts (not shown) of the quickrelease bolt assembly pass through these holes 68 in the bar track 42.In a two panel embodiment, one panel, in this case the one on the rightis a soft panel 7, and the second panel show on the left can be either asoft panel 7 or a hard panel 5. If one of these two panels were a hardpanel 5, then the hard panel 5 would be attached by non-removablehardware at the two connection points that do not overlap the soft panel7. This same concept also applies to installations of more than twopanels. It should also be noted that if a hard panel is used with thisembodiment, the hard panel 5 must be placed in position first so itrests below the soft panel 7, otherwise it will not be possible toremove the soft panel 7. When the pins (not shown) are extracted fromthe quick release bolt assemblies (not shown), the sidewalk bolt andsoft panels 7 are released.

FIG. 4C illustrates a variation of the fourth embodiment in an openingsized for a three panel installation with one hard panel 5 (on the left)and two soft panels 7 (on the right). This installation utilizes bartrack 42 which is mounted to the structure 80 at three points 42 oneither side of the opening 81. In this installation, the hard panel 5 ismounted to the structure with either of male or female hardware 167 andis thus of greater length than the soft panels 7 which are mounted onthe bar track 42 in the mounting holes 68. The hard panel 5 is modifiedwith a hole 168 sized and disposed to accommodate the mounting hole inthe overlapping soft panel 7, which is installed over and after the hardpanel 5 is put in place. When the pins (not shown) are extracted fromthe quick release bolt assemblies (not shown), the sidewalk bolt andsoft panels 7 are released.

FIG. 4D illustrates a variation of the fourth embodiment in an openingsized for a three panel installation with one hard panel 5 (on the left)and two soft panels 7 (on the right). This installation utilizes asection of modified studded angle track 142 which has the five studs onthe right and studs on either side of the opening 81 removed, and whichis mounted to the structure 80 at three points 69 on either side of theopening 81. In this installation, the hard panel 5 is attached to thestudded angle track at the two non-overlapping points on the left usingthe remaining studs 67. The hard panel 5 must be placed in positionfirst, and below the soft panel 7 and the overlapping points on the lefthard panel 5 and the center soft panel 7 are secured together by one ofthe quick release bolt assemblies. When the pins (not shown) areextracted from the quick release bolt assemblies (not shown), thesidewalk bolt and soft panels 7 are released.

FIG. 5A illustrates how a flanged nut 35 used to make the transitionbetween a hard panel 5 and a soft panel 7 in the second and thirdembodiments. As shown, the hard panel 5 sits underneath the soft panel7, and the hard panel 5 is secured to the structure with the flanged nut35 which is threaded and tensioned on to a stud in a section of studdedangle track or a male hardware component 36. The soft panel is placedover the hard panel and is not connected at this overlapping point.

FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E show various views of the flanged nut 35 usedfor transitioning between hard and soft panels in the second and thirdembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows the components of an alternate embodiment of the steppedquick release sleeve assembly of the fifth embodiment as disassembled onthe left and in a top down view as assembled on the right with a sectionof soft hurricane panel 7 mounted in female direct mount hardware 76Binstalled in a structure 80.

Shown in this top-down view with cut-away view of the structure 80, thestepped bolt 44 is threaded into the female hardware component 76B. Aspacer 57 with a hole (not shown here and shown as 59 in FIGS. 7A and7B) through the center of its depth and a second cross-bored hole 58,and a quick release sleeve 45 are put in place over the stepped bolt 44and connected with a pin 16 through the pin holes 43, 41 and 57. Thesoft panel 7 is placed over the quick release sleeve 45 and is tensionedin place with a wing nut 74. In this view, also shown are an optionalwasher 75 which is placed between the soft panel 7 and the wing nut 74,and an optional ring 18 for connecting the pin 16 to an optionalextraction mechanism.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show additional views of the components of an alternateembodiment of the stepped quick release sleeve assembly which furtherillustrate how the components are sequenced and fit together.

FIG. 8A shows the components a stepped quick release sleeve assembly ofthe fifth embodiment utilizing a two-stepped quick release sleeve 145.On the left is shown the components as disassembled, and on the right isshown a top down view as assembled with a section of soft hurricanepanel 7 mounted in female direct mount hardware 76B installed in astructure 80.

Shown in this top-down view with cut-away view of the structure 80, thestepped bolt 44 is threaded into the female hardware component 76B. Aspacer 57 with a hole (not shown here and shown as 59 in FIGS. 7A and7B) through the center of its depth and a second cross-bored hole 58,and a two-stepped quick release sleeve 145 are put in place over thestepped bolt 44 and connected with a pin 16 through the pin holes 43,141 and 58. The first end 151 of the two-stepped sleeve 145 in thisillustration is unthreaded, is wider than the threaded end and has adepth that is greater than the depth of the spacer 57, thus creating ashoulder that extends beyond the spacer 57. A fender washer 150 orsimilar component is disposed over the two-stepped quick release sleeve145 before the soft panel 7 is put in place. This fender washer 150resting on the shoulder of the first end of the two-stepped quickrelease sleeve 145 serves to support the soft panel 7 at its connectionpoint and take the tension to secure the soft panel 7 when the wing nut74 is tightened down on the soft panel 7, thus preventing the pin 16from binding in the assembly should the wing nut 74 be over tightened onthe threaded end of the two-stepped quick release sleeve 145. In thisview, also shown are an optional washer 75 which is placed between thesoft panel 7 and the wing nut 74, and an optional ring 18 for connectingthe pin 16 to an optional extraction mechanism.

In an alternate embodiment, if the diameter of the first end 151 of thetwo-stepped sleeve 145 is sufficiently greater than the hole in the softpanel 7 at the attachment point, then the fender washer 150 may beomitted and the surface of the shoulder at the first end 151 of thetwo-stepped quick release sleeve 145 can serve to support the soft panelat its attachment point.

FIG. 8B shows a three-stepped quick release sleeve 245 of the preferredembodiment of the stepped quick release sleeve assembly. If used, thisthree-stepped quick release sleeve 245 is substituted for thetwo-stepped quick release sleeve 145 of FIG. 8A, however the pin hole islabeled as 241, and the fender washer 150 of FIG. 8A is pressed on tothe middle step of the three-stepped quick release sleeve 245. Havingthe fender washer pressed on prevents the fender washer from becomingseparated from the three-stepped quick release sleeve 245, and furtherserves to prevent failures that could result from the fender washer frombeing installed in the incorrect sequence or omitted altogether by usererror.

FIG. 9 shows the components of an alternate embodiment the dual quickrelease sleeve assembly of the sixth embodiment as disassembled on theleft and in a top down view as assembled on the right with a section ofsoft hurricane panel 7 mounted in male direct mount hardware 76Ainstalled in a structure 80.

Shown in this top-down view with cut-away view of the structure 80, thefirst sleeve 70 having at least one tab 77 on one end with a hole sizedto accommodate a pin 16 is threaded into the male hardware component76A. A spacer 57 with a u-channel (not shown here and shown as 49 inFIGS. 10A and 10B) through its depth and a second cross-bored hole 48,and a second sleeve 71 having at least one tab 78 at one endcorresponding to the tab and hole on the first sleeve 77 are put inplace over the first sleeve 70 and connected with a pin 16 through thepin holes 48, 77 and 78. The soft panel 7 is placed over the secondsleeve 71 and is tensioned in place with a wing nut 74. In this view,also shown are an optional washer 75 which is placed between the softpanel 7 and the wing nut 74, and an optional ring 18 for connecting thepin 16 to an optional extraction mechanism.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show additional views of the components of analternate embodiment of the stepped quick release sleeve assembly whichfurther illustrate how the components are sequenced and fit together.

FIG. 10C shows a two-stepped second sleeve 171 of the preferredembodiment of the dual quick release sleeve assembly. If used, thisthree-stepped second sleeve 171 is substituted for the second sleeve 71shown in FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, however the pin hole is labeled as 177,and the fender washer 150 of FIG. 8A is disposed between the spacer 47and the two-stepped second sleeve 171 and serves to support the softpanel 7 at its attachment point and take up the tension of the wing nut74, thereby preventing the pin from binding if the wing nut 75 is overtightened on the assembly. As with the two-stepped quick release sleeve145 of FIG. 8A, this two-stepped second sleeve 171 of the dual quickrelease sleeve assembly can be used without the fender washer if thediameter of the larger step on the first end is sufficiently large tolend support for the soft panel 7 at its connection points.

FIG. 10D shows a three-stepped second sleeve 271 of the preferredembodiment of the dual quick release sleeve assembly. If used, thisthree-stepped second sleeve 271 is substituted for the second sleeve 71shown in FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, however the pin hole is labeled as 277,and the fender washer 150 of FIG. 8A is pressed on to the middle step ofthe three-stepped second sleeve 271. Having the fender washer pressed onprevents the fender washer from becoming separated from thethree-stepped second sleeve 271, and further serves to prevent failuresthat could result from the fender washer from being installed in theincorrect sequence or omitted altogether by user error.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show two views of a possible design for an extractionmechanism configured for a single panel with three connection points.The body 501 with a handle-like grip 508 is fitted with a reinforcementmember 502 that is connected to the body 501 through holes 504 usingmachine screws 505. The body can be constructed of any sturdy materialthat will support the forces exerted during extraction. Preferably, thereinforcement member 502 is constructed of a metal like aluminum orstainless steel. Holes 506 along the outboard end of the reinforcementmember 502 disposed to correspond to the attachment of the panels serveas connection points for the pins (not shown). Although the pins may beconnected directly to the reinforcement arm 502, preferable otherhardware such as rings 18 or lanyards or cables (not shown) are used tomake this connection. At either end of the reinforcement arm is a hole507 to accommodate extension members (508 in FIG. 12) so the extractionmechanism can be extended to accommodate additional panels.

FIG. 12 shows the extraction mechanism of FIGS. 11A and 11B with anextension member 509 on each end, which extension members are designedto be attached to the reinforcement member 502 with machine screws 504.Note that each extension member 509 can accommodate other extensionmembers, thereby allowing a single extraction mechanism to be adapted toaccommodate various multiples of panels and connection points.

It should be noted that the extraction mechanism shown in these FIGS.11A, 11B and 12 accommodates a single panel with possible expansion totwo, three or more panels. While typically, an installation willcomprise two or more soft panels, this single panel design of anextraction with extension members is preferred because it is morecompact and convenient for shipping purposes. However, a singleextraction mechanism can be constructed to accommodate two or morepanels without the need for expansion.

Finally, the extraction mechanism shown in these FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12is not intended to be limiting, but is intended to illustrate thefeatures which are desirable in an extraction mechanism. It should alsobe noted that the use of an extraction mechanism, although desirable isoptional, as the pins can be extracted in a variety of ways includingmanually.

It is noted that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims,and the embodiments are provided by way of example and not by way oflimitation. The various embodiments and variations may be used inconsistent combinations and subcombinations, without departing from thescope hereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for attaching a first object to a secondobject such that the first object can be quick released from the secondobject, comprising: (a) a stepped bolt structure, comprising a shafthaving an outer diameter, and a threaded stepped down portion having anouter diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, saidstepped bolt structure further having a hole through the shaft along anon-parallel path with respect to an axis of the shaft; (b) a receivingstructure for receiving the threaded stepped down portion of saidstepped bolt structure; (c) a nut, having a thread corresponding to thethread on said sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to pass througha hole in the first object and engage with the nut, to thereby retainthe first object; (d) a sleeve, having an inner diameter larger than theouter diameter of said shaft and being configured to pass over the shaftof the stepped bolt structure, said sleeve being threaded on at least aportion of an outer diameter thereof and having a hole corresponding tosaid hole in said shaft, and being configured to permit a in to extendthrough the hole in the sleeve, the hole in the spacer, and the hole inthe shaft, said sleeve has a length and at least two different outerdiameters, the largest of the two outer diameters being disposed on afirst end having the hole in the sleeve and being larger than an innerdiameter of said spacer; wherein a depth along said sleeve from a secondend to a shoulder at a transition between the two different outerdiameters is greater than the depth of said spacer; (e) a spacer,configured to be disposed between the first object and the secondobject, said spacer having a spacer hole having an inner diameter largerthan the outer diameter of the sleeve and being configured to freelypermit insertion of the sleeve over the shaft of the stepped boltstructure, and further having at least one hole cross-bored through thespacer hole corresponding to the spacer hole and the hole through theshaft of the stepped bolt structure; and (f) a pin, sized to beconcurrently inserted through the cross-bored hole in the spacer, thehole in the shaft, and the corresponding hole in the sleeve; wherein:said receiving structure is disposed in the second object and thestepped bolt is connected thereto; said sleeve and said spacer areplaced over the shaft of said stepped bolt and are connected togetherwith said pin; the first object has a hole of sufficient diameter anddisposed in position to allow the first object to be placed over thesleeve with clearance, said hole adapted to serve as an attachment pointfor the first object; the second object has a hole having a diameterlarger than the outer diameter of the thread of the stepped down portionof said stepped bolt, and smaller than an outer dimension of said nut,to thereby retain the stepped bolt and said nut; the first object isplaced through the sleeve and fastened in place with the nut, therebybeing attached to the second object; and the pin is configured to beretained in the spacer, sleeve and the shaft when subject to tensileforces directly separating the first object and the second object, andthe pin is configured to be readily extracted from the spacer, sleeveand the shaft to thereby quick-release the first object from the secondobject by application of a force along the axis of the shaft, totherefore separate the shaft and the sleeve.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the first object is at least one of a hurricane panel and atrack, and the second object is a structure.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein each of said stepped bot and said spacer have at least twocorresponding sets of holes, to thereby provide two object retainingconfigurations with respective different depths.
 4. The system of claim2, wherein the structure comprises a female hardware componentcomprising an anchor, configured to receive said outer diameter of thethread on the stepped down portion of said stepped bolt.
 5. The systemof claim 2, wherein the hurricane panel is connected to the structureproximate an opening in the structure.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereina plurality of pins are connected to a common extraction mechanism,wherein an action by the common extraction mechanism releases aplurality of pins concurrently.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein saidnut comprises a wing nut.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising awasher adapted to be disposed between said nut and the first object. 9.The system of claim 1, wherein said largest of the at least twodifferent outer diameters is larger than an inner diameter of the holein the first object, such that said first object is supported by saidshoulder of said sleeve.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising awasher having an outside diameter larger than the largest of the twoouter diameters and an inside diameter smaller than the largest of thetwo outer diameters and larger than the next largest of the at least twoouter diameters, configured to be disposed on said sleeve prior toplacement of the first object over said sleeve, such that said washer issupported by said shoulder, and the first object is supported by saidwasher.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein: said sleeve has three outerdiameters, with the second largest outer diameter disposed between thelargest outer diameter and the smallest outer diameter; an axialdistance along the sleeve corresponding to said second diametercorresponds to the depth of a washer; the inside diameter of said washeris sized such that said washer can be pressed on to the second diameterof said sleeve; and said washer is pressed onto said second diameter ofsaid sleeve, and said washer is adapted to provide support for saidfirst object.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of steppedbolt structures, sleeves, spacers, and pins are provided for attachingthe first object to the second object, configured such that: an end ofeach sleeve extends beyond the respective shaft, and a second hole sizedto accommodate a second pin is disposed in the extended end of eachsleeve; a second pin is inserted into each second hole; the second pinsare each mechanically connected through a flexible structure to thefirst object and the second object, wherein, when the second pins areextracted, the released sleeves are held together, thus preventing thereleased sleeves and the nuts attached to said sleeves from scattering.13. A method for attaching at least one of a first object to a secondobject such that the first object can be quick released from the secondobject; said method using at least one system according to claim 1,comprising: engaging the nut and the thread on the stepped down portionof said bolt structure to retain the first object; inserting the pinconcurrently through the holes in the shaft and the spacer; mating thesecond object to the spacer; and quick releasing the first object fromthe second object by removing the pin from the holes in the shaft andthe spacer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first object is atleast one of a hurricane panel and a track, and the second object is astructure.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the pin is connected toan extraction mechanism by a hardware component.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein the system further comprises a washer disposed between thenut and the first object.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the pin hasa hole across its axis which is linked to a cable, wherein the cable isconfigured to apply a tensile force to remove the pin from the holes inthe spacer and the shaft.